choose the cruise – the floating city

THE VOICE OF SEA SPEAKS TO THE SOUL

TRAVEL IS THE ONLY THING YOU BUY THAT MAKES YOU RICHER

Ever wonder why so many people return home raving about their latest sailing? If you’re among those who are considering a first cruise — but who hasn’t yet taken the leap — take a look at these five reasons as to why a cruise can be the perfect vacation for just about anyone.

# CRUISING IS SOCIETAL

If you love to meet people from around the country — and the world — cruising provides a wonderful opportunity to make new friends. Even before you embark, you can connect with cruisers on Cruise Critic’s Roll Call forums and create groups to go on independent excursions. Onboard, you’ll meet people at your dinner table, at the piano bar or by the pool. The person seated next to you might be from Paris, Texas, or Paris, France; London, Ontario, or London, England. Kids can find playmates their own age during youth activities, so they’re not always with adults or their older or younger siblings. Looking for Mr. or Ms. Right?

# CRUISING IS A SYNONYM OF ROMANCE

Anyone who’s watched “The Love Boat” knows that there’s a romance to sea travel. The wind in your hair, the vistas of endless ocean, the stars twinkling above, all may be clichés but they’re real experiences onboard! If you want to rekindle the spark with your sweetie, a cruise vacation provides plenty of together time — sharing side-by-side lounge chairs by the pool, a table for two at dinner, dancing in the evening or sharing quality time onshore. Cruise lines also have special packages for honeymoons, vow renewals and weddingsonboard and onshore.

# CRUISE ARE FLOATING CITIES

If you’re concerned about being stranded in the middle of the ocean, relax. Cruise ships are like floating cities with everything you could possibly want onboard. Today’s vessels are outfitted with Wi-Fi, cell service and satellite TV so you can stay in touch with the real world during your cruise (if you even want to). Onboard shops sell the toiletries you forgot to pack, medical centers can provide medicine or a doctor’s services if needed, and laundry facilities let you wash your clothes mid-cruise so you don’t need to over-pack. Of course, there’s also the fun stuff like gyms, multiple restaurants, movie screens, spas, swimming pools, theaters and discos. And in the rare emergency, there are always enough lifeboats for everyone onboard.

#Cruise Ships are Family Friendly

From tots to teens, grandparents to grandkids, family cruises are fun for all ages. If you’re struggling to find a vacation that your 5-, 10- and 15-year-olds will all love — and that has adult activities, too — ships now have extensive kids’ facilities, split by age. Teens have their own cool hangouts, far away from the play areas for the little ones (and certainly a nice distance from parent-friendly pools and bars). How can you not love a trip that features video games and swimming pools, while offering time for families to be together at dinner or onshore excursions? And parents can even sneak in a romantic dinner alone, by taking advantage of late-night hours in the kids’ club.

# Cruise Vacations are Easy to Plan

Because cruise vacations package together transportation and accommodations, they’re very easy to plan. Pick your ship, itinerary and cabin, and away you go — no searching for hotels in your price range, no coordinating travel between cities. You can even get your travel agent to arrange your airfare for you — or choose a departure port within driving distance to eliminate that extra planning step.

Group cruises are a cinch to book. Cruise lines have plans in place for group travel, eliminating the hassle of coordinating your 20 family members and friends from around the country who want to vacation with you. Book enough cabins — and you’ll get extra perks, including a free fare!